Installation of 3rd turbine in Kajaki dam to start soon

Officials in Helmand water and electricity department said the installation work of the third turbine in Kajaki electricity dam will start in the near future.

The government of Afghanistan and international community five years back decided to complete the project work which started nearly 50 years ago.

NATO troops transported the turbine and other required materials in Kakaji district however the installation work was delayed due to security issues.

Provincial water and electricity department chief Ahlullah Abidi said the survey work, installation of pillars and transfer of electricity line from Kajaki to Lashkargah and Kandahar city has already started.

He said, “The installation and assembly work will start in December. Practical work on transfer of electricity network has already started however the work will be totally completed in the next two years. Contract of Greshk electricity system has also completed and the work will start in this month. The total contract values will around $75 milion.”

Mr. Abidi further added the equipments and other materials for the installation of the third turbine has also arrived in Kajaki electricity dam.

This comes as Afghan presidential palace, water and energy ministry and other related departments have for several times vowed to start the installation work of third turbine in Kajaki water dam however no practical step has been taken so far and residents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces are still facing lack of electricity.

However provincial water and electricity department officials are saying that there are no security issues in Kajaki district to prevent the installation of the third turbine.

Kajaki electricity dam currently has the capability of producing 33 MW of electricity and by completion of this project the production will increase to 51 MW.

The officials also added the overall cost for the installation and rehabilitation of Kajaki electricity damm will be $180 million which will be paid by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).